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Michael Karl Witzel
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Strange 66: Myth, Mystery, Mayhem, and Other Weirdness on Route 66 Kindle Edition

by Michael Karl Witzel (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
When you open Strange 66, take a look beyond the all-American sheen to the seedy, creepy, and just plain weird stories behind America's Mother Road.

Route 66 conjures images of an innocent golden age of car travel: shiny V8s powering down hot, two-lane blacktop, sucking 20-cent-a-gallon gasoline, and periodically depositing their occupants at mom-n-pop greasy spoons, neon-lit motels, and tourist traps. But America’s Mother Road wasn’t all about ruddy-cheeked, summer vacationers. Route 66 and the regions it traverses have a side more seldom seen, rich with weird tales (mimetic architecture, paranormal phenomena, and even cryptozoology) to the downright sordid and seedy (murder, mistreatment, and other assorted mayhem).

In Strange 66, bestselling Route 66 authority Michael Witzel explores the flip side of Route 66 to offer details on infamous Route 66 locations that once served as hideouts for the James Gang (Meramec Caverns), Bonnie and Clyde (Baxter Springs, Kansas), and Al Capone (Cicero, Illinois).

There are the stories of unspeakable crimes committed along 66, such as the Stafflebeck “murder bordello” in Galena, Kansas, and Arizona’s “Orphan Maker of Route 66.” Witzel also explores the people that passed through the region, including the Dust Bowl exodus and the Trail of Tears tribute in Jerome, Missouri.
            
Then there are the lighter, though still strange stories, such as the Route 66 Great Transcontinental Footrace and the origins of various roadside colossi, like the Blue Whale of Catoosa and Giganticus Headicus in Walapai, Arizona. And speaking of heads, what about steak? Eat one as big as your head at the Big Texan in Amarillo—and it’s free!

All of these stories culminate in a look at Route 66 unlike any other, completely illustrated with modern and archival photography and written by an acknowledged authority on the Mother Road.
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  1. Print length
    193 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Voyageur Press
  4. Publication date
    August 14, 2018
  5. File size
    41.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

From Goodreads.com:When you open Strange 66, take a look beyond the all-American sheen to the seedy, creepy, and just plain weird stories behind America's Mother Road.
Route 66 conjures images of an innocent golden age of car travel: shiny V8s powering down hot, two-lane blacktop, sucking 20-cent-a-gallon gasoline, and periodically depositing their occupants at mom-n-pop greasy spoons, neon-lit motels, and tourist traps. But America's Mother Road wasn't all about ruddy-cheeked, summer vacationers. Route 66 and the regions it traverses have a side more seldom seen, rich with weird tales (mimetic architecture, paranormal phenomena, and even cryptozoology) to the downright sordid and seedy (murder, mistreatment, and other assorted mayhem).

In Strange 66, bestselling Route 66 authority Michael Witzel explores the flip side of Route 66 to offer details on infamous Route 66 locations that once served as hideouts for the James Gang (Meramec Caverns), Bonnie and Clyde (Baxter Springs, Kansas), and Al Capone (Cicero, Illinois).

There are the stories of unspeakable crimes committed along 66, such as the Stafflebeck "murder bordello" in Galena, Kansas, and Arizona's "Orphan Maker of Route 66." Witzel also explores the people that passed through the region, including the Dust Bowl exodus and the Trail of Tears tribute in Jerome, Missouri.
Then there are the lighter, though still strange stories, such as the Route 66 Great Transcontinental Footrace and the origins of various roadside colossi, like the Blue Whale of Catoosa and Giganticus Headicus in Walapai, Arizona. And speaking of heads, what about steak? Eat one as big as your head at the Big Texan in Amarillo--and it's free!

All of these stories culminate in a look at Route 66 unlike any other, completely illustrated with modern and archival photography and written by an acknowledged authority on the Mother Road.

About the Author

Michael Karl Witzel is a photographer, historian and folklorist devoted to American roadside culture. An award-winning author, he has penned several books, including American Drive-In, The American Gas Station, The Sparkling Story of Coca-Cola, Cruisin': Car Culture in America, and The American Diner.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07FTPSWTJ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Voyageur Press; 1st edition (August 14, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 14, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 41.6 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 193 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

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Michael Karl Witzel

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
70 global ratings

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Great Stories of the Quirkier Side of the Mother Road....
5 out of 5 stars
Great Stories of the Quirkier Side of the Mother Road....
Michael Karl Witsel has written a masterpiece of the quirkier side of the Mother Road, US Highway 66. His stories of the seemier and mysterious side of the road makes for a good reading experience. I have a first edition copy of the book, signed by Mr. Witzel himself, as a token of gratitude for allowing him to use one of my photographs in this book. In writing about the paranormal activities that have taken place at the former Tri-County Truck Stop in Villa Ridge, MO (along US 66-50), he asked permission to use my photo of the Truck Stop from my Flickr photostream. I gave the OK and it's featured on Page 44. I received the book just after Thanksgiving and noticed that he had signed it. Makes me proud to be a contributor. It's a great book that hopefully will add to the mystic of US Highway 66 and it's many interesting locations.
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  • Ian C Payne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and informative.
    Reviewed in Canada on April 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Very well written sections with great photos. I truly enjoyed reading this book. 😃👍🏻👍🏻
    Report
  • Mariano Cazenave
    4.0 out of 5 stars Buena calidad de libro
    Reviewed in Mexico on February 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    No es tan interesante, las historias parecen contadas por la mitad o muy resumidamente. Excelente calidad de libro, pero el contenido deja bastante que desear
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  • Serge Hudon
    5.0 out of 5 stars À lire...
    Reviewed in Canada on December 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Bien écrit, beaucoup d'histoire.
    Report

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